The Montana Department of Labor and Industry is notifying Montana employers of fraudulent email that first appeared in the eastern U.S. and is now being seen in Montana.

“We want to make sure Montana employers are aware of this scam, so they don’t unknowingly give information to a potential identity thief,” says Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly.

The initial email surfaced in Massachusetts purporting to be from that state’s unemployment assistance agency.

It was asking for information from employers about former employees’ wages and separation information.

Reports of similar emails being sent to employers in Montana and other states have been received.The email references the Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and the need for former employees’ information in relation to a claim that has been filed.

The Montana agency responsible for unemployment insurance is the Montana Unemployment Insurance Division (UID). The UID’s business practice to make requests for confidential employee information by telephone, USPS mail or the secure file transfer system for Montana, ePass.

Montana UID staff do some non-confidential exchange of information via email, in which case the email includes the staff person’s name, position, phone number and the “mt.gov” extension in the “From” email address.

The Department recommends that any Montana employer that receives this fraudulent email not reply with any information and delete the email.

If you have questions or want more information, contact the Montana UID fraud investigator at (406) 444-1709 or email
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